Three officers dismissed for their appalling conduct at Charing Cross

Three officers involved in misconduct at Charing Cross police station have been dismissed from the Met just 23 days after their behaviour was aired on BBC Panorama.

Sgt Joseph McIlvenny, PC Martin Borg and PC Phillip Neilson each faced a fast-track misconduct hearing on Thursday, 23 October.

Allegations against all three, that they breached standards of professional behaviour for authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct and equality and diversity, were proven and they were dismissed without notice.

They will also be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing to prevent them re-joining the police or being employed by other related bodies.

Commander Simon Messinger, Professionalism, said: “Following the shocking and appalling behaviour shown on Panorama we were extremely clear where there was incontrovertible evidence we would hold misconduct hearings at the very earliest opportunity. It has seen three officers dismissed today for their disgraceful conduct.

“We have kept to our word and are grateful to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for their swift enquiries and decision-making that meant hearings could start today. More will be held over the next week.

“We have since replaced the custody team at Charing Cross, made changes to local leadership and wider work continues to identify any other areas of concern in detention teams across the Met. We are unrelenting in our drive to achieve the highest of standards across the Met.”

The BBC Panorama broadcast on Wednesday, 1 October showed Sgt McIlvenny, attached to Met Detention, trivialising and mocking the account of a rape victim in conversation with another officer.

He was also seen advising a member of staff to not speak about use of force in front of custody suite cameras, making misogynistic and inappropriate comments about a female detainee and making grossly offensive remarks about a woman he encountered. All allegations against him were proven.

The programme showed PC Borg, attached to Central West Command Unit, making rude and Islamophobic comments about detainees and members of the public.

He said he joined the police “to nick people and get into scraps” and gloated and laughed about seeing another officer, a sergeant, using excess force and injuring a detainee.

Three of eight matters against PC Borg, relating to alleged discriminatory comments, were not proven as breaches of standards of professional behaviour.

The hearing heard PC Neilson, attached to Central West Command Unit, made making highly derogatory and discriminatory comments about a number of people from different races and cultures.

He talked about deliberating trying to harm a young detainee who “deserved it”. All allegations against him were proven.

Further accelerated misconduct hearings for five serving officers and a former officer will be held on Friday, 24 October and Tuesday, 28 October.

The IOPC investigation continues.